Geomorphic Assessments and River Corridor Planning

The science of fluvial geomorphology (the study of the physical processes by which river
channels and the lands adjacent to them are formed and maintained), and the related
concept of "dynamic equilibrium" have played a major role in improving our understanding
of our rivers - and of how best to manage them - in recent years. (For more details, see
this
document.)

From the Roaring Branch Corridor Plan

Vermont's River Management Program Stream Geomorphic Assessment protocols (available
online here
) help landowners, municipalities, and agencies understand to what extent our streams
are out of dynamic equilibrium and why, and offer suggestions as to how to return natural
stability to our watercourses. Upon completion of up to three levels of assessment, from
lesser to greater levels of detail, municipalities are provided the basic tools with which
to design river corridor protection plans. Among these tool is the "fluvial erosion
hazard zone" (FEH) ordinance and overlay district. FEH zones are those found to be
particularly vulnerable to potentially devastating erosion or channel relocation during
flood events, and where, for those reasons, further development is limited. (See this
guide for information on fluvial erosion hazards.)

BCCD has served as project manager for assessments in the Walloomsac watershed in the
Towns of Bennington and Woodford, and in the White Creek/Mill Brook watershed in the
Towns of Rupert and Sandgate. The Walloomsac/Roaring Branch report for the
Town of Bennington, is
available online. The Bolles Brook/City Stream report for the town of Woodford, is
available online.
The White Creek and Mill Brook Phase 2 report is
available online.

In February 2008, the Town of Bennington Select Board unanimously voted to accept a river
corridor protection plan for the Walloomsac and Roaring Branch; direct the town's Planning
Commission to create a Fluvial Erosion Hazard Zone overlay plan; and to pursue two
projects designed to restore stability on the Roaring Branch in downtown Bennington. The Fluvial Erosion Hazard Zone ordinance was adopted by the Select Board in April 2009. The
Channel Management and River Corridor Protection Plan is
available online, (plus
appendices).

More recently, River Corridor Protection Plans were produced under contract to BCCD for Rupert (available here) and Woodfoord (available here).